Burris To Be Seated In Senate

After the spectacle of being turned away at the Capitol Building last week, Roland Burris will be granted his seat as the junior Senator from Illinois.

"The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat," read a joint statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and Democratic Whip Richard J. Durbin (Ill.). "We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," the statement continued. "We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in." Reid accepted Burris's appointment after the former state attorney general's lawyer visited the Capitol yesterday afternoon with new documentation attesting to its legality. Burris was named to succeed Obama by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), who is battling federal corruption charges, including allegations that he tried to sell the Senate appointment for personal and financial gain.

Burris will have to defend his seat in a special election in 2010.